FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
- Sport
- Fashion
- Food, wine, art and performance festivals
The centre of sport, the hub of fashion, the culinary capital and the artistic epicentre of Australia – it’s no wonder Melbourne rarely has a week go by without some kind of festival or event being celebrated. At any time of the year, there is something going on from mainstream to fringe, and all held at iconic venues easily reached by public transport. And if you can’t get a ticket, don’t worry, many of the bigger sporting events are telecast on large screens at innovative 'live sites' like Federation Square.
Keep your eyes open for Melbourne Events, a free monthly publication available from newsagents or the Victorian Visitor Information Centre.
For most festivals and events, get tickets from the venue concerned or through Ticketmaster or Ticketek.
January
Australian Open Tennis Championship
January 2009
World’s best tennis players battle each other and the heat. C’mon Lleyton!
Big Day Out
January 2009
The world’s best bands rock out in the summer sun at Princes Park. Last year's acts included The White Stripes, Iggy & The Stooges, Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon, The Mars Volta, Soulwax and The Living End.
Midsumma
January-February 2009
Month-long celebration of gay, lesbian and transgender art and community at city venues.
February
St Kilda Festival
February 2009
A vast array of dynamic live music, entertainment, action and activities set against St Kilda's charismatic and iconic backdrop.
St Jeromes Laneway Festival
February 2009
The most fun you'll ever have in an alleyway. Local and international acts take over this part of the city.
March
Port Fairy Folk Festival
March 2009
Four days of the best international and national folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass, celtic, country, jazz, rock, contemporary and world roots music, held in the old seaside fishing village of Port Fairy, on the west Victorian coastline.
Brunswick Music Festival
12–20 March 2009
Showcasing international folk and roots music, concerts, culture and cinema at halls, pubs and clubs in Moreland.
Melbourne Moomba Festival
March 2009– Labour Day Weekend
The colourful annual parade brings the city to life and has provided fun for generations.
Melbourne Fashion Festival
March 2009
All the glamour and champagne-fuelled excitement of cutting-edge fashions shown off amid maximum drama and ego.
Melbourne Queer Film Festival
March 2009
A highlight of queer Melbourne's arts and culture calendar, with Australian and international features, docos, shorts, and experimental works.
Formula 1™ ING Australian Grand Prix
March 2009
One for speed freaks. Can Australia's own Mark Webber take the title in his home town or is Schuey on a comeback rampage?
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
March 2009
Melbourne likes to boast about its culinary qualities – here's proof to back the argument.
April
Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
March- April 2009
For all you greenthumbs – learn a little about the natives or brush up on your exotics.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
April 2009
The world's funniest people in one city and the joke's on Melbourne.
Rip Curl Pro Surfing Carnival
April 2009
Ripping up waves at world-famous Bells Beach, Torquay.
June
St Kilda Film Festival
June 2009
Cutting-edge Australian and international short films at St Kilda's Palais Theatre and George Cinema.
July
Melbourne International Film Festival
25 July – 10 August 2008
Films from far and wide, plus locally produced highlights.
August
Melbourne Art Fair
August 2008
Features over 80 selected galleries from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, China, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Melbourne Writers' Festival
August - September 2008
One for literary types. Catch readings by world-famous authors and attend writing workshops and debates.
September
Australian Football League Grand Final Series
September 2008
Get a feel for Australia's biggest national winter sport – cheer for anyone you like!
Royal Melbourne Show
September 2008
Slower paced event, with lots of animals and farm machinery, plus action sports and fairgound rides for good measure.
Melbourne Fringe Festival
September-October 2008
Spices up the cultural calendar with an entertaining program of groundbreaking and daring performances ranging across all art forms.
October
Melbourne International Arts Festival
October 2008
A serious injection of culture, featuring unique international and Australian events in dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia and free and outdoor events over 17 days.
GMC Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
October 2008
Boys and their two-wheel toys risk life and limb zipping around the Phillip Island track.
Spring Racing Carnival
October-November 2008
One of the world's best horse-racing carnivals, including the famous Melbourne Cup at Flemington, always on the first Tuesday in November.
November
Wangaratta Festival of Jazz
November 2008
Annual festival of jazz and blues held in Wangaratta, located just over two hours from Melbourne in north-east Victoria. Australia's premier jazz event.
December
Meredith Music Festival
December 2008
Victoria's best alternative music and camping festival. Sells out early and often months ahead. Get in quick for 2008.
Melbourne Boxing Day Test 2008 Ashes Series
26-30 December 2008
Arguably the greatest and most anticipated Test Match on the world cricket calendar. Attendence is a revered Melbourne tradition. This year's battle for the Ashes is expected to be hard fought and will see cricket fans from all over the world pack the MCG.
